Bell
Influx
Helmet

Product Description

The Bell Influx bicycle helmet priced at a great value and is designed for trail riding, touring/trekking, and MTB XC Race?s. Features the helmet has includes 18 vents, blade visor, GPS fit system, channeled ventilation and cam-lock levers.

User Reviews

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by
tech98
a Cross Country Rider

Date Reviewed: October 13, 2013

Strengths: Multiple sizes for better fit, good value

Weaknesses: Flimsy visor and pads

Bottom Line:

Most one-size-fits-all helmets feel wonky on my big head, so it was a relief to find the size Large Bell Influx. Good price, fits my head shape and size just right. Visor is flimsy and pads wore out fast. But it does the job, has saved me from some nasty tree branches.

Weaknesses: visor is on the flimsy side, loose ends of straps can be messy to manage. Bigger sizes (L, XL) can be hard to find in stock in stores.

Bottom Line:

While you can't put a price on safety, for a relatively new rider like myself this is a fine choice. It might not be as light or good looking as pricier models/brands, but due to safety standards they all do the same job: protect that blob of meat and fatty tissue on top of your shoulders. Any more money spent is just going to get you better fit, appearance, quality, and lighter weight.

Strengths: This is my fourth Influx,and its hard to beat comfort,safety,weight,fit,and Bell product support if you need new pads.Highly recommend if you have large volume head.Easy to tight and adjust,nice visor too.Go for.

Weaknesses: The visor is made out of pretty flimsy material, but hey it does the job.

Bottom Line:

Landed on my head quite a few times, and this helmet was never damaged. More importantly, my head is still intact. I like it so much that I use it both on the road and on the trail. Will buy another one when this one is done.

All helmets have to meet standards to insure they function in protecting your head. I think it's ridiculous to spend a lot on a piece of foam with straps. The drawback of the cheap helmets is the universal sizing, so someone with a medium sized head has to use a big bulbous helmet that will fit on a large head. This one comes in sizes, which allows you to get one that fits well. It looks good with the removable visor on or off, so people like me who ride/race both road and mountain still get the sun blocking benefits of the visor, without having it catch wind on a road ride. Not having to buy separate Road/mountain helmets fits in will with my aversion to spending on helmets.

I'm an older, casual rider (city streets and cycling trails) who needs a comfortable, reliable helmet in a large size, with a visor. I already had a comparable Giro Phase helmet (bright blue and white), but I ordered the Bell Influx primarily for the color (dark blue and silver/titanium), to match my bike better. Bell, like Giro, has a solid reputation and the list price of the Influx was $20 less than the Phase, even without the dealer's discount. Given the positive reviews the Bell Influx has received, I felt confident it would be right, and I haven't been disappointed. It fit me almost without adjustment straight out of the box, looks great, and is very well ventilated. I'm wearing it and keeping my Giro helmet for a backup or loaner.

I fell about 10 feet straight down off a ledge and landed on my back and hit my head, The helmet saved my noggin. It had a good size dent on the side and back. I didn't realize that I hit my head that hard until I looked at the helmet afterwards. I just bought another one just like it.

Weaknesses: Tightening system is too low and pulls the tensioners over your ears.

Bottom Line:

Bought the helmet and am going to return it. The plastic tensioners that tighten around your head are annoying and get in the way on your ears when you have to wear glasses. I tried just pushing them back up, but they kept creeping down and digging into my ears.

Came around a blind turn a smacked right into a tree that had fallen down across the trail. The impact stopped me cold (all 225 lb) from about 8 MPH and crushed the left side of the helmet. But I was able to ride out and didn't have any head or neck pain. The helmet did its job well. The only knock is the adhesive that bonds the Velcro pads to the inside of the helmet. After about a year, they came off and I had to superglue them back on.

Strengths: Fits my head the goodest of all brands, looks pretty sharp, protects my head from hard stuff, good ventilation, lasts,

Weaknesses: Straps lengthen when wet (I sweat a LOT), hmmm...that's it. It's a tough helmet as far as I can tell.

Bottom Line:

I bought this mid 2003 when I bought my first off road bike. I thought some other helmets looked cooler (Giro Xen), but this one just fit my head pretty f'in good. And while not as cool looking, it still looked good. I got grey.

Seems to me most comparable helmets will protect your head about the same in a crash, and most seem well vented too. So the most important factor for me is fit. Go with what fits your head good, and you will forget it's there. I have a more ovular head.

I'm buying a new bike soon ('08 Stumpy FSR Expert Demo), so I thought I might go look at helmets and see what's out there now. I was somewhat surprised to see all the same stuff. Tried them all on, and after I found the one that fit best, I realized I already owned it. Funny... :P

I'm not sure if this is a problem with other helmets, but the straps lengthen very noticeably when they are wet, which is every time I ride. So I just adjust them tight enough to be just short of uncomfortable when dry, and they are OK when wet.

One of stick on velcro hook discs for the removable pads came loose recently. I just glued it back on with crazy glue and it's pretty much good as new.

I landed funny on the double drop at Lebanon hills once, went over the bars, and landed on my head. Had a chunk of dirt jammed in it, but me and the helmet were fine. Didn't even crack it a bit. I've been wearing it ever since.

Bottom line, I like this helmet. It fits me good, protects my head. I've only looked at one store casually (REI!), but I'm not sure I could find a better helmet, so I don't see the point in replacing it, other than that, as a modern human being, I'm compelled to buy stuff.

Buy what fits best. This thing feels like it would stay on if it were not strapped to my head.

I read a lot of reviews on here, and I like when people give details. Hope that helps.